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André van Zyl
Public Health Data Analytics Professional
André is a public health data analytics professional with around ten years’ work experience in roles related to research, technology, analytics, public health, behavioral health, and education. His current career interests revolve around digital analytics and data science, electronic data acquisition, epidemiology, and monitoring and evaluation. For the past two years, he has been responsible for monitoring and managing the data collection of a research project with 27 sites in three South African provinces.
Professional Experience
Data Manager
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Present - Sep 2017
- Project planning and implementation related to data collection and management.
- Questionnaire improvement.
- Development of the mobile data collection application on the CommCare platform.
- Configuration of the short text messaging system used to communicate with participants.
- Drafting of technical aspects of the protocol.
- Training of coordinators and fieldworkers on using Android OS, internet communication tools, the data collection application, and questionnaire completion.
- Develop video recordings, presentations, and documents used to train field staff.
- Provision of local and remote technical and data collection support to 27 fieldworkers and 3 project coordinators.
- Ensure that researchers are blinded.
- Remote monitoring of data collection process and quality of submitted data.
- Data cleaning.
- Creation of project performance reports and visual data representations using RStudio. My resume is an example of such a report written in RStudio.
Title of the research: ImPROving TB outcomes by modifying LIFE-style behaviours through a brief motivational intervention followed by short text messages (ProLife): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Data Administrator
The Foundation for Professional Development
Sep 2017 - Sep 2016
I supported the data and implementation teams on the following projects:
- Assessment of mental health care services provided in public health clinics in four districts in SA, 2016-2017
- Validation of TB stigma scales in Buffalo City Metropolitan, Nkangala and Tshwane Districts in South Africa
- Phased implementation of a public health program: cryptococcal antigen screening and treatment in South Africa
- Investigating the acceptability, feasibility and outcomes of home-based TB testing of household contacts using a new, mobile point of care technology
- Pilot study of STI screening and treatment for PMTCT
Research Assistant
Mar 2016 - Sep 2016
Title of the research: Addressing tobacco smoking and drinking to improve TB treatment outcomes in South Africa: a feasibility study of the “ProLife” programme
Support Consultant
May 2016 - Jan 2014
- Supported the implementation of the ITSI eLearning platform in South African schools.
- Training teachers and learners on how to use the ITSI eLearning platform.
- Quality assurance on electronic textbooks.
- Developing training material.
- Provided helpdesk support.
- Testing of the ITSI eLearning platform and recommending product improvements.
Behavioral Therapist
Zizi Centre for Children with Autism
Feb 2014 - Jul 2014
Research Assistant
Nelson Mandela University Department of Nursing
Jul 2012 - Oct 2011
Title of the research: Help-seeking behaviour, barriers to care and experiences of care among persons with depression in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Education
University of Pretoria
Master of Public Health
2016
Thesis: Health education resources available to high school Life Orientation educators in Tshwane, South Africa.
Publications
Mixed-methods evaluation of mental healthcare integration into tuberculosis and maternal-child healthcare services of four South African districts.
BMC Health Services Research volume 19, Article number: 83 (2019)
N/A
2019
Kathryn L. Lovero, Samantha L. Lammie, André van Zyl, Sharon N. Paul, Phuti Ngwepe, Jennifer J. Mootz, Catherine Carlson, Annika C. Sweetland, Rachel C. Shelton, Milton L. Wainberg & Andrew Medina-Marino
Volunteer Experience
Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) Health Information and Technology Special Interest Group Chair
Jun 2018 - Mar 2016
Junior Public Health Association of South Africa (JuPHASA) Secretary
Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA)
Sep 2016 - Oct 2015
Lay counselor
South African National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO)
Nov 2012 - Mar 2012
Professional Development Courses
Counselor and Support Group Facilitator Training
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group
2013
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (SIT TESOL)
2012